“Armageddon” Approaches or Fizzles Towards Earth? By Lauren Benish Feature Editor
While society encounters ups and downs with the economy, moral beliefs, war and peace, many people may argue these problems to be natural. However, others believe our world is entering a turbulent downfall towards the end in 2012. Different groups have different theories about the demise of mankind, also called Armageddon, and how it will manifest itself. At the same time, others scoff at the paranoia, waiting for the world to turn in 2013. Although citizens’ ideas seem split about the issue, omens for and against this closure exist everyday.
Even though the book of Revelation stresses, “No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” (Matthew 24:36), some argue warnings from the book are imminent in the world today. One of these signs forewarns of disasters that resemble global warming, nuclear warfare, pollution, overpopulation, diseases, and an asteroid collision. Christians are wary of premonitions they believe have already been fulfilled, such as the tsunami that devastated countries along the Indian Ocean in 2004. Skeptics could argue that large tsunamis also occurred in 1755, 1883, 1908, and 1960, yet the apocalypse did not ensue after any of these tragedies.
One prophet who Armageddon believers idolize is Nostradamus, the equivalent of a conspiracy-theorist rock star. Some of his predictions, such as the fire of London, the rise of Hitler, and the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001, send chills through readers’ spines with their ringing accuracy after nearly half a millennium. In 1694, Nostradamus allegedly notifies the ancient people about the future terrorist attack on the United States, "In the City of God there will be a great thunder, Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the fortress endures, the great leader will succumb. The third big war will begin when the big city is burning." One prediction of Nostradamus’ which has not yet been fulfilled is the alleged end of the world on December 21st, 2012. In the doubter’s favor, 2012 is not the only prediction of the apocalypse. Many cult leaders and civilians prepared for the end of the world on May 5, 2000. Since the first alignment of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in 6,000 years was destined to occur, cynics feared the worse. Scientists predicted the position of the earth would cause water from the South Pole icecaps to melt submerging the world in water; obviously, this catastrophe never manifested. Many argue if this prediction did not come true; neither will the calamity in 2012.
The critical question still remains if the termination of the world in 2012 is a viable theory. When a group of 25 randomly selected students were asked if they thought the world ending in 2012 was logical, the response was overwhelming. All of the students voted no, showing they had no apprehension regardless of the “signs.” However, there is only one definite way to determine the truth to this argument; to wait on the clock.
“Armageddon” Approaches or Fizzles Towards Earth?
By Lauren Benish
Feature Editor
While society encounters ups and downs with the economy, moral beliefs, war and peace, many people may argue these problems to be natural. However, others believe our world is entering a turbulent downfall towards the end in 2012. Different groups have different theories about the demise of mankind, also called Armageddon, and how it will manifest itself. At the same time, others scoff at the paranoia, waiting for the world to turn in 2013. Although citizens’ ideas seem split about the issue, omens for and against this closure exist everyday.
Even though the book of Revelation stresses, “No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,” (Matthew 24:36), some argue warnings from the book are imminent in the world today. One of these signs forewarns of disasters that resemble global warming, nuclear warfare, pollution, overpopulation, diseases, and an asteroid collision. Christians are wary of premonitions they believe have already been fulfilled, such as the tsunami that devastated countries along the Indian Ocean in 2004. Skeptics could argue that large tsunamis also occurred in 1755, 1883, 1908, and 1960, yet the apocalypse did not ensue after any of these tragedies.
One prophet who Armageddon believers idolize is Nostradamus, the equivalent of a conspiracy-theorist rock star. Some of his predictions, such as the fire of London, the rise of Hitler, and the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001, send chills through readers’ spines with their ringing accuracy after nearly half a millennium. In 1694, Nostradamus allegedly notifies the ancient people about the future terrorist attack on the United States, "In the City of God there will be a great thunder, Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the fortress endures, the great leader will succumb. The third big war will begin when the big city is burning." One prediction of Nostradamus’ which has not yet been fulfilled is the alleged end of the world on December 21st, 2012.
In the doubter’s favor, 2012 is not the only prediction of the apocalypse. Many cult leaders and civilians prepared for the end of the world on May 5, 2000. Since the first alignment of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in 6,000 years was destined to occur, cynics feared the worse. Scientists predicted the position of the earth would cause water from the South Pole icecaps to melt submerging the world in water; obviously, this catastrophe never manifested. Many argue if this prediction did not come true; neither will the calamity in 2012.
The critical question still remains if the termination of the world in 2012 is a viable theory. When a group of 25 randomly selected students were asked if they thought the world ending in 2012 was logical, the response was overwhelming. All of the students voted no, showing they had no apprehension regardless of the “signs.” However, there is only one definite way to determine the truth to this argument; to wait on the clock.
More Information on Nostradamus' Theories